Abstract:
The effect of different dietary and environmental factors on the moisture contents of droppings in Desi and Commercial layers during cold and dry season at 4 months after maturity was studied for controlling the wet litter problem in the poultry sheds. An experiment was conducted on 270 Desi and 270 Commercial layers, four months after maturity, were used. The birds of both the breeds were divided into six equal groups. First three groups were fed on ration containing 15% protein with 0%, 0.75% and 1% salt levels. Last three groups were given 17% protein with same salt supplementation. Their weekly feed consumption, water intake and water feed ratio were recorded. The moisture percentage of faeces, crops, intestines, caecal, carcass and levels of Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3, in serum were determined. The results indicated a significant (1=0.05) difference between breeds, protein and salt-levels. There was increase in faecal moisture per conlaqi with concomitant increase in salt concentration. The concentration of Nat in both groups increased with increase in salt level while protein level showed no effect. However, the increase in serum K+ level was inconsistent with increased level of slats. The serum HCO-3 also followed same trend as observed for K+.
Page(s):
45-50
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan journal of scientific research, Volume: 49, Issue: 1--2, Year: 1997